16. Corinthians #3
“Alright, let us know when y’all are ready.
” He sat back, arm on the back of the seat, and stared out of the window.
For the last week, he and Madea had done everything in their power to make sure we were okay.
Out of all their children, the only ones who survived were Cross’s parents, who had walked away from the wreck with barely a scratch on them.
I don’t know how long we sat in the car, but I knew it was a long time because people started looking around as if they were waiting for someone. Granddaddy said he couldn’t do the sermon for his own kids, so Pastor Kilmore agreed to do the eulogy. Pastor Kilmore's son was friends with our parents.
Finally, we got out of the car and took our seats.
Madea sat in the back with Krude, Judge, Mercy, and Ex, and Granddaddy sat in the front with Psalms and me.
The entire funeral, I stared at my parents' caskets, waiting for the moment that someone would tell us it was all a joke and they were alive.
I looked over at Granddaddy to see him staring ahead. When Pastor Kilmore finished his eulogy and their caskets were lowered, people came forward to speak, but I didn’t want to deal with anyone. Madea moved everyone to the back, and we stood holding hands until it was time to go.
Granddaddy stood outside the car talking to someone while we were getting situated. “I can’t find it!” Psalms said, looking around the car. She pushed Krude out of the way and looked under the seat. “I can’t find it!”
“Find what?” Madea asked her.
“My ladybug!” she answered, panicking. “I had it, I know I did, and I can't find it.” She looked up with tears in her eyes. Madea pulled her into a hug and rubbed her back. “I know I had it, Madea.”
“It’s okay, baby; we will find it.”
I looked out the window to see if she had dropped it and noticed it on the ground under the chairs we were sitting in.
“It’s outside,” I said, unbuckling my seat belt. I was next to the door. “I’ll get it.”
“Okay,” Madea said as she consoled Psalms. She pulled back and smiled at Psalms. “Corinthians is going to get it; you just dropped it on the ground earlier. It’s okay.”
I got out of the car, and Granddaddy stopped talking to look at me. “Bug dropped her ladybug,” I told him, pointing to it on the ground. “I’m going to get it.”
“Alright,” he said, nodding, then went back to his conversation. Even though he was talking, I knew that he was still going to keep an eye on me. I closed the car door and ran over to the seats.
I picked up the ladybug, wiped the dirt off it, and tucked it under my arm.
When I turned around, Robert was standing in front of me.
“Pet,” he said, stepping closer to me. I tried to look around him, but Robert blocked my movement.
“Pet, I want you to see how far my reach goes.” I took a step back.
“I want you to remember exactly what I am capable of. This is all your fault. I killed your parents because you didn’t listen.
” He knelt so we were eye to eye. “I took them and your aunts and uncles because you upset me.” He cupped my face and gently rubbed his thumb over my bottom lip.
“I will be around, watching. Never get comfortable, Pet. Never think that I won't find out what you’ve done, who you spend time with. Never doubt that I am always watching because I am, and when I’m ready for you, I will come.
” He smiled. “And if you fight it or try to tell, I’ll make you watch as I slowly kill them.
” He kissed my forehead and smiled. “Run along; your grandfather is done talking now. But remember, one word, and I’ll kill them all.
” He moved out of the way, and I saw Granddaddy talking to Logan.
Logan pointed at me, and Granddaddy turned around to face me.
“Let’s go, Corinthians,” Granddaddy said, waving me over. I slowly walked over to him and Logan. “You ready?” I nodded. “Alright, let me get y’all home.” He turned back to Logan and shook his head. “I appreciate your kind words. Ruben didn’t talk much about his past, but it’s nice meeting you.”
“Same,” Logan said, shaking his hand. “My brother and I will miss him.” Logan looked around, then pointed to Robert, who was standing near a black car.
“That’s Robert. If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to contact one of us.
” He handed Granddaddy a card, then turned to me.
“I’m sorry about your loss, Corinthians.
You and your sister are always in our prayers. ”
“Have a good one,” Granddaddy said, putting the card in his pocket. Logan walked to the car where Robert was standing. “Come on.” He opened the car door for me, and I got in. I handed Psalms her ladybug and watched Robert and Logan’s car pull away.
“You okay, Corinthians?” Madea asked, and I nodded. “You sure?”
I nodded instead of answering. When the car pulled off, I felt my eyes start to water. I closed my eyes and laid my head against the window. If I kept my eyes closed, then my tears would never fall.